Appreciate the path, even when it ends before you want it to. I spent a relaxing two days in Three Rivers, California, this past weekend. A large section of road in Sequoia National Park was closed because of snow, so I decided to do a little exploring. Google Maps seemed to indicate that South Fork Road would be an interesting drive. It was. After meandering along its curves and stopping for photos beside the road, I pulled into what appeared to be the entrance to a trail. [ location ] It isn’t named on the maps. It wasn’t planned, but It turned out to be a truly wonderful path—a beautiful hidden gem. And then I reached the spot shown in the photo above.

I would certainly have enjoyed continuing further. Maybe if there had been just one warning sign, but all the signs said it was time to stop. I suppose I could lament the part of the path I couldn’t take or forgo the warnings and trespass on someone else’s private property. Choosing to stop, I decided to appreciate the time I was gifted with, the beauty I experienced, and its memory. I’m celebrating my time on the path and the memory of its beauty.

Jeff Turner

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